University of Northern Iowa
8-6,3-0MVC
UIC
4-8,1-2MVC
Panthers complete the largest comeback of the Warren era in a victory over UIC
1/4/2025 4:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNI women’s basketball won the second half 54-26 in a 75-64 victory over UIC.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI women's basketball hosted the UIC Flames on Saturday, January 4 in the Panthers' third conference matchup of the season. The Flames jumped to a big lead in the first half after shooting 57.7% (15-for-26) from the floor and 50% (6-for-12) from beyond the arc before the Panther stormed back with a 31-9 third quarter to seal UNI's biggest comeback of the Tanya Warren era by a final score of 75-64.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Flames jumped out to a quick five-point lead early in the first quarter before UNI took the lead on a seven-point run. The Flames took control of the first quarter and pushed their lead to 11 to round out the first 10 minutes with a 23-12 lead. In the first quarter, UNI shot 60% (9-for-15) from the field and 62.5% (5-for-8) from beyond the arc. On the other hand, the Panthers shot just 29.4% (5-for-17) from the field in the first frame.
The second quarter saw a heavy dose of defense from both teams as the Panthers and Flames combined for just 24 total points over the quarter. A 15-9 frame put UIC up 38-21 heading into the halftime break after McDermott's first three-pointer of the game went down at the buzzer to cut the UIC lead from 20 to 17. The Flames stayed hot from the floor in the second quarter, shooting 54.5% (6-for-11) over the course of the 10 minutes.
The Panther offense came alive out of the halftime break, notching a 31-9 quarter to take a 52-47 lead after three quarters of play. A pair of big runs for the Panthers, one of 13 points and another of 14, pushed the Panthers out front and put the Flames on their heels. UNI flipped the script on its shooting woes of the first half after shooting 85.7% (12-for-14) from the field and 83.3% (5-for-6) from beyond the arc.
Runs of seven and four points in the final frame from the Panthers secured UNI's third victory of the conference season. The home team finished shooting 46.2% (30-for-65) from the field and 45% (9-for-20) from three-point land. Maya McDermott and Shateah Wetering led the UNI scoring effort with 15 points a piece. McDermott added five assists and three rebounds to her total. Wetering finished the game 3-for-6 from deep. Taryn Wharton was the other Panther in double figures with 12 points.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- UNI improves to 8-6 on the season and 3-0 in conference play with the 75-64 victory over UIC. They are now 16-5 all-time against the Flames including a nine-game win streak.
- The 20-point comeback is the largest in Tanya Warren's career, beating out the Panthers' 18-point comeback at Murray State last season.
- In the second quarter, Maya McDermott knocked down a three-pointer to become just the sixth Panther in UNI women's basketball history to eclipse 1,600 points. She finished with 15 points, adding to her double-digit streak. McDermott has scored 10+ points in all 14 contests this season.
- UNI continued an active program-record 546-game three-pointer streak that started December 6, 2008, versus Green Bay (6-of-19) following a 0-of-14 outing from behind the three-point arc December 3, 2008, against Northern Illinois. The Panthers knocked down nine threes against UIC to continue the streak.
- Kaylee Corbin knocked down her first three-pointer in a Panther uniform against the Flames.
- The third quarter was the second time the Panthers have scored 30+ points in a single quarter this season.
UP NEXT
The Panthers head to Normal, Illinois for their first road trip of 2025 in a matchup against Illinois State on January 10. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT and can be streamed on ESPN+ or listened to on the Panther Sports Radio Network.
UNI women's basketball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Women's Basketball), X (@UNIwbb), and on Instagram (@uni_wbb). The 2024-25 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
